What should I be looking for in a sales contract other than replacement if the dog ends up with hip dysplasia and to take the dog to a vet for an examination after X-amount of hours of receiving possession of the dog? I know they are supposed to give shots but how many and what are they responsible for?

A long time ago I purchased a dog from a BYB (not knowing better then) and had it checked out by my vet. She got a clean bill of health. A day or two later, somebody stepped on the puppy's paw after normal hours and we ended up taking it an emergency hospital just to be on the safe side. While there, the vet asked if we knew there was a heart murmur. We were totally shocked because our vet should have caught that.

The last dog we purchased in 1990 from a breeder did not have a contract. I have noticed that most reputable breeders nowadays have one but I have not been doing any comparisons. Are breeders willing to amend their contracts if the buyers request it? Sometimes things come up that are hereditary but are not covered by the contract. What if the ears don't stand up or a heart murmur is detected after the initial exam as an example.

I realize contracts are to protect both parties involved and the breeder has no control over some things.I also know dog ownership is not cheap and life offers no guarantees but I do want to go into a relationship with a breeder with my eyes open, being informed, and want to have more than a business relationship with any breeder I get a dog from. I feel that this breeder is going to become an extended member of our family because I am sure we will keep in touch as the years go by.

Denise,

I sent you a PM.

Rich

Denise, you asked waaaay too many questions in your post. I will address one or two. The HD thing needs to be read carefully. Many contracts state "crippling hip dysplasia," which doesn't do you much good, as "crippling" can be a subjective term. I prefer a contract to ensure that a dog will OFA/Pen Hip with "X" or better.

As far as shots, they usually just worm and give the first puppy shot or two (of course I ask them to refrain :grin

My contract does include ears, bite, testicles, hips, and elbows, but many do not. Read it carefully.

If you want to amend the contract, ask the breeder, not the forum. He may or may not, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

I agree with Jenni, but would like to point out some other things that are really important to take into consideration when thinking about hips and guarantees.

Unfortunately, no breeder can guarantee your pup will not have hip dysplasia. What they say is if your dog has it, or if your dog doesn't OFA, (depending on the contract), they will replace the puppy. The problem is no matter how good a breeding program is, HD rears it's ugly head. It's not even clear how much is caused by genetics versus environment. Another thing is you may run across a breeder who makes a statement like "all our puppies will OFA". Look closer, usually these breeders insist they review and then determine whether or not the x-ray is submitted to OFA. Sometimes they would rather replace the dog than submit the x-ray. Usually breeders do not extend the hip guarantee to the replacement puppy either.

Think about how attached you get to a puppy after you've had it for a year. Guarantees are great but they sure don't help a broken heart. Believe it or not, most pet puppy buyers never do x-rays for hips unless a problem arises and unless it's a severe case of dysplasia a problem usually doesn't show up until after 3 or 4 years.

I bring all this up to point out how important it is to research the breeder & make sure you are buying from someone who really knows what they are doing. Someone who has done the research and has superior knowledge when it comes to genetics. Someone who is in it to produce dogs that meet or exceed the standard.
This applies to every single item that is in the guarantee and beyond.

I don't know who in the USA started with the guarantees. In many ways I think they are really unfair to the breeder, but in this day and age everyone expects one. Back in the day, before there were guarantees the honest and reputable breeders had no problem helping out someone who bought a dog then found it to have serious health issues. Those breeders still do, the paper didn't change the way they operate.

Do not forget a completed bill of sale and your dog registration papers as well! You want those 2 things in one hand and your puppy in the other.

Actually, I never have the registration papers in hand because the forms have to be sent in after the ear in tatooed and are never back in time, or on dogs I've imported it also takes longer, but since I go with reptable breeder/importer I don't hav to worry.

I only asked four questions. How is that too many? lol. I ask questions because hindsight is 20/20 and I am inexperienced in a lot of things when it comes to German Shepherds. I am not too proud to admit it either. Maybe my questions are also on the minds of others but are afraid to ask. I'll take the hit if I learn something new and help others along the way.

This part of Susan's post really intrigued me:

"Look closer, usually these breeders insist they review and then determine whether or not the x-ray is submitted to OFA. Sometimes they would rather replace the dog than submit the x-ray. Usually breeders do not extend the hip guarantee to the replacement puppy either."

I would never have thought that the above would happen. I was talking to a breeder this spring about OFA X-rays and she said it's possible to falsify X-rays too. Unbelievable. There are some people out there who try to beat the system to get ahead. This is why I ask questions.

I am very familiar with the hip dysplasia clause and have no problem with it. It's a standard clause in almost every breeder's contract. I had a GS/mix who developed hip dysplasia. Luckily it didn't affect her quality of life and she was the best dog I ever had personality wise. I picked her up at the pound at the age of 6 weeks and there was no way I would have given her up even for a million dollars.

Once a dog is accepted into my home, it's here to stay. I took on the responsibility and I will follow through on its care until she has to cross over to the rainbow bridge. It's nice to know that a breeder will include extra stuff like ears, bite, testicles, etc., in the contract because that shows me that the breeder is a good one and has confidence in his breeding program.

The one thing I really would like to see in a contract is that a dog is to be replaced because of a genetic disease. The nature of this disease must be life threatening or crippling, meaning major surgery or euthenasia. Buyer must provide proof in form of a letter or copy of necropsy report in case of death. Seller has up to 24 months to replace puppy with one that is of equal value.

When I sit down with a breeder to sign a purchase agreement, it's because I trust the person to do the right thing by me if there is a life threatening problem. In return, I am promising to take care of the dog as if it's one of my own kids.

 Quote: denise hau

This part of Susan's post really intrigued me:

"Look closer, usually these breeders insist they review and then determine whether or not the x-ray is submitted to OFA. Sometimes they would rather replace the dog than submit the x-ray."

Very interesting --- new info to me, too.

 Quote:

Maybe my questions are also on the minds of others but are afraid to ask. I'll take the hit if I learn something new and help others along the way.

Excellent.

"It's nice to know that a breeder will include extra stuff like ears, bite, testicles, etc., in the contract because that shows me that the breeder is a good one and has confidence in his breeding program."

A contract should not convince you that a breeder is good. Better to do a ton of research and actually talk to various people who have dogs from that breeder (not the testimonials).

"Look closer, usually these breeders insist they review and then determine whether or not the x-ray is submitted to OFA. Sometimes they would rather replace the dog than submit the x-ray."

How else do you think they can make a claim that 98% of their puppies OFA at least good?

"Look closer, usually these breeders insist they review and then determine whether or not the x-ray is submitted to OFA. Sometimes they would rather replace the dog than submit the x-ray."

"How else do you think they can make a claim that 98% of their puppies OFA at least good?"

Yes, I caught that. What sheisters.